No person in their right mind wants to hear tell of an educator’s inappropriate conduct with a student. In fact, any teacher who crosses this line with substantial evidence to back accusations should serve jail time. What happens though when false allegations are made toward a teacher can be just as detrimental for a teacher. All it takes is one vicious rumor to ruin an educator’s reputation and possibly even career. Generally, allegations against teachers are presumed guilty until proven innocent and stories of this nature are like magnets to the media. Sadly, resentful students use this tactic all so well as a means of revenge. Unfortunately, the damage to an educator’s credibility is never fully repaired even if an investigation or trial later proves innocence. The YouTube video below with Nicole Howell from
http://youtu.be/LEmSw2Mi8MM
I pray I never encounter a student who is just that malicious but the thought is very alarming that this can happen to even the best of teachers. Often times, students will question why I don’t accept them as friends on Facebook but my biggest fear is the possibility of an unwelcoming situation. In this day and time, “I’d rather be safe than sorry.” What is your perspective on all of this?
This is SO true! How does a teacher gain ones credibility back after being accused of this? Often times, if the media gets a word about any possibilities, it makes headlines everywhere. What happened to the whole innocent until proven guilty? Does that not apply to teachers?
ReplyDeleteAs far as Facebook goes, I never accept any friend requests from any students. Facebook involves my personal life, not my work life. If they need to say something via the internet, they can send me an email to my school account.
This is a very scary thing. We do have students who have figured out they can false accuse someone just because they are not happy with how they have been disciplined during the school day. I agree that I would rather be safe than sorry and that includes not accepting kids friends requests on facebook!
ReplyDeleteI don't even have a facebook page. If someone needs to find me they will have to do it the old fashioned way; look me up in the phone book. I have heard of vindictive students making false allegations about teachers. It's just horrible!
ReplyDeleteKhaali
Khaali I use to say the same thing about having a facebook page until I got curious after hearing all the talk about it. Now, I check my facebook page everyday and update my status quite often. It's great for staying in touch with old friends and family who live in other cities/states. However, there's always that group of people who misuse the internet which is why I'm careful of who I friend and definitely do not accept complete strangers.
ReplyDeleteAmanda I agree with you. My students are to only contact me via our class wiki space. I have a homework discussion set up for all homework questions or they can inbox me using the wiki feature for concerns they'd rather not share with the class. Our school also have what's called a message board which is an electronic forum where we can post homework assignments and announcements for parents. In return, the parents can post questions or comments for teachers.
ReplyDelete